Tournaments

2017 Spanish Junior & Cadet Open, ITTF Junior Circuit

Cadet boys and girls begin campaigns in Platja d'Aro

On Friday, 19th May, cadet boys and girls started their campaigns with the stage one group matches at the 2017 Spanish Junior and Cadet Open being staged in the Spanish city of Platja d'Aro.

Cadet girls action in full swing in Spain. Photo: Alvaro Diaz

by Neha Aggarwal

Russia ‘B’ and Germany ‘B’ made their way to the top spot in their respective groups in the first stage of the Cadet Boys’ Team event. In Group E, Russia ‘B’ was positioned at no.3, but the results turned out to be totally opposite of the ranking. Russia ‘B’ beat both Czech Republic and Switzerland to grab the no.1 position and qualify for the main draw.

They will now play against the mixed team of Ireland / Norway in the quarter-finals to be played on Saturday 20th May.

In Group H too, matters were decided on merit and the players proved that ranking did not matter. Germany ‘B’ smashed Italy ‘B’ and Romania three-nil to secure the top position in their group. Thus, they move to the second stage, the knock-out rounds. Germany ‘B’ will play against the second seed Italy ‘A’ in the quarter-finals.

Belgium, Italy ‘A’, Russia ‘A’, Ireland / Norway, Portugal and Belgium / Finland did not face too much troubles as all of them won both matches in the group to gain the maximum points, securing top position in their respective groups and moving to the quarter-final stage.

In the cadet girls section, most of the teams had a comfortable run in the group stage. In Group A, Russia ‘A’ won both matches against Canada ‘B’ and Portugal to move to the quarter-finals. Likewise, in Groups B, C and D, France ‘A’, France ‘B’ and Germany ‘A’ emerged successful and move to the knock-out stage.

In Group E, England ‘A’ finished at an impressive top place beating both Norway / India and Spain ‘C’. Following the footsteps of England was the mixed team of Czech Republic / United States who dominated throughout winning the three matches in their group to make it to the next stage.